The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has dismissed allegations that it denied former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, access to food, family members, and medical care while in custody.
The allegations were raised by Mohammed Bello, son of the detained former governor, who accused the anti graft agency of violating a court order permitting El Rufai access to his physician and family members.
Bello made the claims through a statement shared on social media, alleging that two separate incidents on May 15, 2026, constituted violations of his father’s constitutional rights during detention.
“On this day, May 15, 2026, we observed two distinct yet equally grave infringements on his fundamental rights,” Bello stated.
According to him, El Rufai’s personal doctor arrived at the ICPC facility around 3 p.m. to discuss the outcome of recent medical examinations conducted on the former governor but was allegedly denied entry by officials of the commission.
He claimed the officers insisted that approval from the commission’s chairman was required before the doctor could gain access to the detainee despite an existing court order permitting unrestricted access to his medical team.
Bello further alleged that El Rufai’s wife, Aichatou, was prevented from delivering his evening meal at approximately 7 p.m., despite reportedly providing food for him since the beginning of his detention.
Responding to the allegations, the ICPC stated that it was necessary to correct what it described as misleading narratives surrounding the matter, insisting that the commission operates strictly within the provisions of Nigerian law and in line with international best practices.
According to the commission, its operations are guided by a humane and orderly Access Control Protocol regulating entry into its premises.
“The Commission notes the wide circulation of a video interview since 10:00 pm on Friday, 15 May, 2026,” the statement read.
“The facts of the matter: The ICPC’s Access Control Protocol, which permits visitor access between 9:00 am and 6:30 pm, has been in existence long before the current Chairman assumed office. It is a standing institutional policy that applies to all persons in custody.
“The families of all defendants and suspects in ICPC custody, including the family in question, were duly informed of this protocol and have, until this incident, been in compliance.
“On the Friday in question, one of the defendant’s wives and a housemaid were permitted to bring food to the defendant on no fewer than three occasions between 10:30 am and 5:30 pm. This is documented in the visitor register, which records the names of family members and the purpose of each visit, and is available for independent verification.
“Authorised visitors, including family members, legal counsel, and medical personnel are permitted to visit, deliver food, and consult with persons in custody. However, entry is strictly not permitted after 6:30 pm.
“The woman in the video herself acknowledged that she arrived at 7:00 pm, thirty minutes after the close of the official access window. It is also on record that she has on prior occasions exceeded her permitted visiting duration.
“Furthermore, the woman herself admitted in the same video that she had delivered both breakfast and lunch to her husband earlier that day, thereby contradicting the allegation that the ICPC denied him access to food.”
The commission further stressed that El Rufai, being a high profile and politically exposed figure who previously served as Director General of a federal agency, Minister, member of the Federal Executive Council, and Governor, requires heightened security considerations while in custody.
Addressing the allegation concerning denial of medical access, the ICPC clarified that officials only requested proper identification and verification before allowing supervised access to the medical personnel, describing it as a standard security procedure.
“Concerning the claim that medical staff were refused entry, the ICPC would like to clarify that it merely requested appropriate identification from the aforementioned personnel and verification from the defendant prior to allowing supervised access, a routine security measure.
“It is important to note that in the week leading up to this event, Malam el Rufai had sought, and was granted, permission to visit both his dentist and ophthalmologist on two distinct occasions.
“The Commission accompanied him during both appointments. This is in addition to the consistent access he has to the Commission’s internal medical staff and facilities upon request.
“The ICPC expresses concern that the visit in question took place alongside media representatives, arriving outside the designated access timeframe.”
The commission maintained that it would not engage in what it described as dramatized accounts aimed at bypassing lawful institutional procedures.
It reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out its responsibilities without compromising established security protocols under any circumstance.
